Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Hall

The Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Hall, officially known as the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, stands as a tribute to one of Japan's most significant foreign literary figures in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Established in 1933, it is dedicated to the life and work of writer and translator Lafcadio Hearn, also known by the name Yakumo Koizumi. The original museum design was inspired by the Goethe-Nationalmuseum in Weimar, Germany, and its initial collection included 22 manuscripts donated by the Koizumi family through the efforts of Hearn's disciples, Teizaburo Ochiai and Seiichi Kishi.

Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), an open-minded writer who and world-traveller who was born in Greece, lived in various countries, and moved to Matsue as an English teacher in 1890. He is best known with his books about Japan and introduced Matsue to the world through many writings such as the famous "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan". Hearn became one of the earliest Western writers to comprehensively document Japanese culture and folklore for international audiences, earning him lasting recognition as a cultural bridge between East and West.

The museum houses an extensive collection of over 1,000 items related to Hearn's life and work. This museum houses more than 1,000 collections such as Hearn's handwritten drafts, his belongings and the handmade English vocabulary book that Setsu, Hearn's wife, made etc. Visitors can examine the writer's personal effects – including his dumb-bells, spectacles and a stack of Japanese newspapers on which he wrote words and phrases to teach English to his son. His favourite Japanese pipes and desk make visitors imagine the days the literary legend, Lafcadio Hearn, was at work. The museum underwent significant renovation in July 2016, modernizing its displays while preserving its historical character.

Located next door is the Memorial Museum dedicated to Hearn and his works. The museum is situated in Matsue's historic castle district, adjacent to Hearn's former residence where he lived with his Japanese wife, the daughter of a samurai family. This proximity allows visitors to experience both the physical spaces where Hearn lived and worked alongside comprehensive documentation of his literary achievements.

Note that the museum closes on select days throughout the year for maintenance. The facility is easily accessible within Matsue's compact city center, within walking distance of Matsue Castle and other historical attractions. Visitors traveling by public transportation can reach the museum via local buses from Matsue Station or by taking a short taxi ride through the city's historic districts.